Brompton bikes..thoughts?

[Trailertrash]

A nice little system for when the legs get too old for hills and for extending range.

We bought two electric bikes there and they are the best in Bristol. The Shimano hub failed on one and because they could not replace it quickly they replaced the bike. Also they are not a pop up and have a full service facility and very experienced staff.

 

[A1RGG]

Great bikes...

 

[Hotel California]

Picking up this existing tread.
I had myself a brompton a while ago but as we travel,with the dog we acually only took it once on a trip , and with only one bike we only used it to go to supermarket.

Now i was looking for a second second hand brompton for a long time as they go pretty high in price , i got myself one this week .
So now we have two bromptons and we are taking them on the comming trip to the Hannover factory visit and our trip further to Poland back via Tsjechie ...
As space is limited two bromptons extra inside need to comprimise.
I never take the folding matrass for the rear shelf with me as we always sleep on top , so putting the two bromptons on the shelf .
Cut a piece of "unalite" to put underneeth so they are more stabelised as the small wheels fit in the raster holes...
Hope we get to use them now more often.

Unalite cut to size

Test...

Now fully loaded....

Look how nice they look , they are both buildingyear 2005 .
The green a had a while , looks almost new even if it is from '05 , six gears integrated light
The grey i just got since wednesday , also '05 but used a lot , some updates made to it , three gears , integrated light

Pretty expencive from new

Whoop whoop here we go....

 

[Barry Chuckle]

If I may resurrect this older thread, I have a Brompton C Line bike and I have to say it's absolutely perfect for trips away. Hardly takes up any space in the boot and is superbly made, it also allows me to visit places that would be too far to walk to.

Whilst I find it really convenient for visiting restaurants & pubs and folding it beside me, I find it more limiting when going into towns. I find it far too heavy and cumbersome to lug around shops and also some smaller cafes are a bit funny about me taking it in occasionally. But at the same time due to their desirability for nicking coupled with their unconventional shape I'm nervous about locking the bike to bike racks and leaving it.

Does anyone else find this an issue and is there a solution, am I perhaps best folding it then locking it somewhere?

 

[Denzilgts]

If I may resurrect this older thread, I have a Brompton C Line bike and I have to say it's absolutely perfect for trips away. Hardly takes up any space in the boot and is superbly made, it also allows me to visit places that would be too far to walk to.

Whilst I find it really convenient for visiting restaurants & pubs and folding it beside me, I find it more limiting when going into towns. I find it far too heavy and cumbersome to lug around shops and also some smaller cafes are a bit funny about me taking it in occasionally. But at the same time due to their desirability for nicking coupled with their unconventional shape I'm nervous about locking the bike to bike racks and leaving it.

Does anyone else find this an issue and is there a solution, am I perhaps best folding it then locking it somewhere?

I just don’t leave my Bromptons
I will fold them and cover them

Lots of pubs cafes etc … if they don’t have my bike they don’t get my money

 

[Barry Chuckle]

I just don’t leave my Bromptons
I will fold them and cover them

Lots of pubs cafes etc … if they don’t have my bike they don’t get my money

I agree, it surprises me that many don't even know what they are and they look on with concern and bewilderment as you take them in. I did challenge an owner once and asked him if he'd refuse a pram or pushchair which take up more space!

If you're wanting to wander around small shops or museums etc I find it just isn't possible with the Brompton sadly.

 

[Corradobrit]

If I may resurrect this older thread, I have a Brompton C Line bike and I have to say it's absolutely perfect for trips away. Hardly takes up any space in the boot and is superbly made, it also allows me to visit places that would be too far to walk to.

Whilst I find it really convenient for visiting restaurants & pubs and folding it beside me, I find it more limiting when going into towns. I find it far too heavy and cumbersome to lug around shops and also some smaller cafes are a bit funny about me taking it in occasionally. But at the same time due to their desirability for nicking coupled with their unconventional shape I'm nervous about locking the bike to bike racks and leaving it.

Does anyone else find this an issue and is there a solution, am I perhaps best folding it then locking it somewhere?

I bought a T-Line earlier this year. Total game changer for the reasons you mention. At 7.45kg it's easy to fold and carry around under the arm, churches, restaurants, shops... no problem. I also have a custom bag which I use to protect the bike and the Cali when it's stored in the boot.
I had a C-line loaner when my T-line was in for a service and I can feel your pain. It seems to weigh 2-3x more. Do you wheel it around on its accessory wheels with seat post extended?

 

[m10chkcalifornia]

I bought a T-Line earlier this year. Total game changer for the reasons you mention. At 7.45kg it's easy to fold and carry around under the arm, churches, restaurants, shops... no problem. I also have a custom bag which I use to protect the bike and the Cali when it's stored in the boot.
I had a C-line loaner when my T-line was in for a service and I can feel your pain. It seems to weigh 2-3x more. Do you wheel it around on its accessory wheels with seat post extended?

The lightest C-line is about 9.5kg The heaviest around 12.5kg. So unless you spec one with lots of gears and bigger handlebars the difference is not huge. And boy do you pay for that titanium lightness and saving 2kg!

 

[Corradobrit]

The lightest C-line is about 9.5kg The heaviest around 12.5kg. So unless you spec one with lots of gears and bigger handlebars the difference is not huge. And boy do you pay for that titanium lightness and saving 2kg!

Well 5 years of design and development with only a few components shared across the models, comes at a price. For me it's a bargain given its capabilities.
Classic C-line weighs almost 13kg (maybe thats what I was lugging around) and that 5.5kg makes a huge difference when lifting or carrying.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

I bought a T-Line earlier this year. Total game changer for the reasons you mention. At 7.45kg it's easy to fold and carry around under the arm, churches, restaurants, shops... no problem. I also have a custom bag which I use to protect the bike and the Cali when it's stored in the boot.
I had a C-line loaner when my T-line was in for a service and I can feel your pain. It seems to weigh 2-3x more. Do you wheel it around on its accessory wheels with seat post extended?

The T-Lines look amazing but I just cannot justify the cost. I've not pushed them around on the accessory wheels, but again this doesn't really help when going into small independent shops. One advantage my £150 pub bike had was I could leave it anywhere with it's cheap lock and not worry about it getting nicked!

 

[m10chkcalifornia]

Well 5 years of design and development with only a few components shared across the models, comes at a price. For me it's a bargain given its capabilities.
Classic C-line weighs almost 13kg (maybe thats what I was lugging around) and that 5.5kg makes a huge difference when lifting or carrying.

Its a lovely bit of engineering - no doubt. But £4.5k? One problem with that is it makes it so desirable to nick. I remember seeing a guy in London with a fantastically light bike. Could lift it with a finger. Unfortunately he was lugging around a 5kg lock to secure it!

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Its a lovely bit of engineering - no doubt. But £4.5k? One problem with that is it makes it so desirable to nick. I remember seeing a guy in London with a fantastically light bike. Could lift it with a finger. Unfortunately he was lugging around a 5kg lock to secure it!

It's the old rule of diminishing returns, if I had limitless funds I'd definitely buy a T line as I'm sure they're amazing. But at around £750 per kg saved it's a lot of expense for the weight savings.

 

[Corradobrit]

Its a lovely bit of engineering - no doubt. But £4.5k? One problem with that is it makes it so desirable to nick. I remember seeing a guy in London with a fantastically light bike. Could lift it with a finger. Unfortunately he was lugging around a 5kg lock to secure it!

Thats the beauty and advantage of the T-Line. Weight. I have yet to leave it unattended. It's either in the Cali 'garage', tucked under my arm or I'm riding it.

 

[Corradobrit]

It's the old rule of diminishing returns, if I had limitless funds I'd definitely buy a T line as I'm sure they're amazing. But at around £750 per kg saved it's a lot of expense for the weight savings.

Since I commute on it everyday (slipped under the desk at work) it's easy to justify. Buying a decent ebike from a reputable brand is not far of the price and the specs mean that I've never felt I needed a motor. It's so easy to peddle with its 16" wheels and lightweight frame.

 

[Corradobrit]

And value retention probably beats the Cali these days.

 

[Parkinjm]

Hi Gillian C
We have 2 Montague Paratrooper pros . Best folding bike . It's a full size bike . The problem with all other folding bikes is the small wheels which don't compare to 26 in . Montague make road bikes as well all folding . We use ours on our boat and Cali all the time . Thoroughly recommend . Brompton is probably the next best but not close .

I also went for a Montague and like the fuller size bike.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

I also went for a Montague and like the fuller size bike.

I do find the wheels a bit small sometimes and it does limit your speed on the Brompton, I do like the look of that bike and it must be a lot easier to lock up. However I think Bromptons are to folding bikes what VW are to campervans! Ie they define the class and other designs are just variations on their design also nothing folds as compact as a Brompton.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Had a Tern D-9 for a while, fantastic bike. 20 mile total daily commute.

Prior to that had a Dahon TT, Dahon MU XL , Dahon Cadenza Solo (single speed - was my favourite until i sheared the bolt for the eccentric bottom bracket),
Dahon Cadenza, and another full size Dahon but forgot the model.

Never got the Brompton bug, think I was too tight!..as couldn’t be fixed overnight in the garage with generic parts.

 

[Corradobrit]

I do find the wheels a bit small sometimes and it does limit your speed on the Brompton, I do like the look of that bike and it must be a lot easier to lock up. However I think Bromptons are to folding bikes what VW are to campervans! Ie they define the class and other designs are just variations on their design also nothing folds as compact as a Brompton.

Brommies are an engineering masterclass. Personally speaking the 16" folder is no slouch on the road. I consistently surprise the big boi's by keeping up and often overtake them even if they're wearing lycra . The gearing with a 56T chainring is darn near perfect.

Never got the Brompton bug, think I was too tight!..as couldn’t be fixed overnight in the garage with generic parts.

Get a T-Line. The standard spec components like the BB, handlebars, headset, brakes etc make it easy to upgrade and replace parts with aftermarket kit.

 

[Blackbrogue1962]

Had a great day at the beach in Deauville back in May with our 2 x Bromptons. Hired a parasol with sunshade and deck chairs for the day, put the folded Bromptons in their Ikea bags behind the deckchairs and enjoyed a day on the beach without worrying about the bikes being nicked!

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Get a T-Line. The standard spec components like the BB, handlebars, headset, brakes etc make it easy to upgrade and replace parts with aftermarket kit.

At £4k it should come with a personal mechanic!

 

[chris151151]

I am thinking of buying a folding bike to take with me in Luis. I thought that it might be useful for trips to local villages/towns where cycling might be quicker than walking,
I'm not a particularly confident cyclist but quite fit.
I have seen Bromptons mentioned from time to time on these forums but would welcome any thoughts as they are quite pricey.
I think that one would fit under the back shelf in a bag and although it is heavy for me to lift it is possible.
Any thoughts or alternatives I should look at?

I bought one from Decathlon. It's perfectly adequate for the sort of use you describe. I had some good trips with the money I saved over the Brompton, and don't have worry about it being nicked!

 

[vmaxkiddy]

I do find the wheels a bit small sometimes and it does limit your speed on the Brompton, I do like the look of that bike and it must be a lot easier to lock up. However I think Bromptons are to folding bikes what VW are to campervans! Ie they define the class and other designs are just variations on their design also nothing folds as compact as a Brompton.

A twelve gear Brompton will give you more speed.

 

[Simon Mark]

I am thinking of buying a folding bike to take with me in Luis. I thought that it might be useful for trips to local villages/towns where cycling might be quicker than walking,
I'm not a particularly confident cyclist but quite fit.
I have seen Bromptons mentioned from time to time on these forums but would welcome any thoughts as they are quite pricey.
I think that one would fit under the back shelf in a bag and although it is heavy for me to lift it is possible.
Any thoughts or alternatives I should look at?

 

[RockinNRollin]

If I may resurrect this older thread, I have a Brompton C Line bike and I have to say it's absolutely perfect for trips away. Hardly takes up any space in the boot and is superbly made, it also allows me to visit places that would be too far to walk to.

Whilst I find it really convenient for visiting restaurants & pubs and folding it beside me, I find it more limiting when going into towns. I find it far too heavy and cumbersome to lug around shops and also some smaller cafes are a bit funny about me taking it in occasionally. But at the same time due to their desirability for nicking coupled with their unconventional shape I'm nervous about locking the bike to bike racks and leaving it.

Does anyone else find this an issue and is there a solution, am I perhaps best folding it then locking it somewhere?

Stuff a bin liner into the top tube so if you ever get grief from places “don’t want a dirty bike in here” pop it in the bag and hey presto it’s cleaner than the floor is. Don’t leave it locked up - it is asking for trouble. They’re just too much of a theft magnet.